Apparatus for treating the contents of filled cans



Dec. 15, 1931. L. v. JOHNSON 1 1,836,801

APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE CONTENTS OF FILLED CANS Original Filed Jan. SC, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1 l 1 2 a mum;

I ALL ILIIWWIU Dec. 15, 1931. 1.. v. JOHNSON 1,336,301

APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE CONTENTS OF FILLED CANS Original Filed Jan. 30, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. .15, 1931. L. v. JOHNSON APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE CONTENTS OF FILLED CANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 15 Original Filed Jan. so, 1928 Patented Dec. 15, 1931 mree srA'raseArsn-r orrice LINCOLN V. J GEN SON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO GARDNER MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, LTD OF SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE CONTENTS OF FILLED CANS Application filed January 30, 1928,'Seria1 No. 250,429.v Renewed May 27, 1930.

This invention relates particularly to an apparatus for thermally treating the contents of filled cans.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus into which filled cans may be passed, and the contents of the said cans heated or cooled for a predetermined period of time prior to discharging the said cans from the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for heating or cooling the contents of filled cans by rolling the cans in a predetermined path from the intake of the apparatus to the discharge thereof, the said cans being so guided during their progress through the apparatus that the same cannot twist or tilt to clog or am the apparatus and render the same inoperative.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a casing, a spiral pathway comprised of complementary halves through which the packaged goods to be treated may be moved from the inlet tothe discharge by a driven element that follows the contour of the spiral pathway and during the tune that the packaged goods are moving through the pathway in the casing, the same are subjected to a suitable predetermined temperature regulated by external means.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a casing 01 compact dimensions in which filled cans to be treated are advanced through the heating chamber in a spiral path and in which a plurality of doors are located at points along the path, through which doors cans may be entered and discharged to vary the time in which the cans remain in the casing and consequently the length of time during which the cans are cooked.

I have selected for this particular application in practice the cooker above described, for a cooker of this type is admirably adapted for what is termed in the canning art different times of cook. It is necessary to cook the contents of the cans different lengths of times according to their needs. The common practice of doing this by changing the degree of heat is not satisfactory either from amechanical standpoint or from an econompath at dilierent points alongits length and discharging them at one point; or by feeding them at one point and discharging them at different points along the path.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is illustrated in the form considered to be the best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodied in other forms, and-it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description, it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

In the accompanying three sheets 01": drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of one formof the invention showing a plurality of inlets and a single outlet.

F 1g. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side-elevation of a modified form of the invention showing a single inlet and a plurality of outlets.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4.t of Fig. l. r

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side-elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken along the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 5.

' ig. 8 is a detail view of'the selective discharge means I employ in carrying out the principles of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 isa sectional View taken line 1010 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a movable discharge outlet.

The form ofdevice illustrated in Figs. 3 to 11 inclusive, involves in its general organization an outer casing or cylinder 51 that is preferably circular in cross section and has its opposite ends closed by the cover plates 2 and 3. The bottom side of the casing 51 is supported upon legs of any suitable shape along the along the and character. A cylinder 52 is arranged concentrically within the outer cylinder 51, being secured at its opposite ends to the cover plates 2 and 3. A central shaft 6, may be rigidly supported in the cover plates 2 and 3 to support the inner cylinder 52, in spaced relationship with respect to the outer cylinder 51. A T-bar or other can track is wound spirally around the cylinder 52 and extends from one end thereof to the other. The said T-bar has a leg 10 thereof projected radially outward and the windings of the spiral are spaced uniformly and equidistant from adjacent windings so as to form a true and accurate path for the cans or goods passing through the machine. The spiral can track 83 is arranged concentrically about the axis of the, cylinder 52 so that the same lies 1n concentric spaced relation with the outer casin 1.

I around the circumference of the inner cylinder 52 at equidistant points from each of the opposite ends thereof, I have journaled a plurality of rollers 56. Ring gears 57 and J 58 are rotatably mounted on the rollers 56 at each of the opposite ends of the inner cylinder. The ring gears 57 are joined together by longitudinally extended can moving bars or shifters 59, arranged lengthwise 1n the space between the inner and outer cylinders, and between the opposite halves of the can path, formed by the spiral can track on one side, and the outer cylinder on the other side. The ring gears 57 and 58 are meshed with drive gears 60 and 61, that are fixedly secured to a drive shaft 62, rotatably journaled on the exterior of the outer cylinder 51.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown that form of the invention wherein different cooks are given the contents of the cans simply by introducing the cans through any one of a' plurality of inlets: at different points along their path of travel so that the cans will remain 1n the cooker for a long or a short cook as may be desired.

To provide for this var ableantroduction of the cans, I utilize the followmg construction:

A plurality of can inlets 54, 54 and 54 for admitting the cans or packaged goods through the casing 51 into the spiral can track at different points along the length thereof, are arranged adjacent one end of the casing 51. t the opposite end of the casing a cari outlet is provided therethr0ugh.

Fig. 4 clearly illustrates the manner in which the cans are caused to leave the casing through the discharge port. Pivotally mounted on the cylinder 52, is a cam ejector which is in the form of an obtuse bellcrank lever, having arms 63 and 6A, which extend into the casing between the outer cylind er 51 and the inner cylinder 52. This ejector is spring pressed and normally occupies a position inside of the path of travel of the shifter bars. The shifter bars rotate in the casing between the cylinders 51 and 52 and each in turn engages the arm 63, and moves the lever into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, with the arm 64 in engagement with an adjacent can. The can thus elevated is caused to leave the spiral track and is ejected through the discharge port 55 in which a chute is mounted. The chute 70 is provided with an extension 7O which extends into the casing to a point adjacent the path of travel of the shifter bars 59. The ejector contacting with the cam moves it outwardly so that it contacts with this extension 70, and

the shifter bar following the cam, together with the e ector 60, causes the can to roll down the extension and through the chute by gravity.

Vhere the cans are to be cooked for a long time, they are introduced into the casing through the port 54: where they travel throughout the full length of the spiral path. If a shorter cock is desired they are intro duced into the casing through the port 54 where they are directed into the machine farther along the helical path and so remain in casing a shorter time, and this without having to vary the speed of the machine or temperature within the casing. desired to give a still shorter cook to the articles, they are inserted into the casing through the port 54" at a point still further along the helical path so that they remain in the casing a still shorter time.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4-11 inclusive, I have shown another form of the invention wherein there is a single can inlet and a plurality of can outlets. The different length of the cooks are obtained by shortening the t me that the. cans remain in the casing (as is the case in the other form of the invention) but this is accomplished by removing the cans from the casing at a later or earlier time, as the case may be, from their time of entry.

In Fig. 5 there is shown an adjustable can outlet 85 comprised of an elongated opening in the outer cylinder The upper and lower marginal edges of the can outlet have guideways formed therein, in which guideways is slidably receivable a discharge chute 86. Slidable panels 87 serve to close the space between the chute and the edges of the discharge opening 85. This form is a preferred form of the invention. but if desired separate and independent discharge openings may be provided as shown in Fig. 3. The chute 86 is provided with an extension 86 which extends into the casing to a point adjacent the path of travel of the shifter bars 59 and operates in conjunction with the ejectors 102 to cause the cans to pass into the chute and down the chute so that they may be conveyed by gravity out of the machine.

Should it be:

L as

lengthen or 'shortenthe; Ftime .of cook as 1 the casemay be. Accordingly, I provide a plurality of brackets 90, 91,92 and 93, which are mounted on the inner side of the inner casing adjacent the elongated outlet or outlets, and within these brackets a shaft 94 is journaled. The aperture in the bracket 90 through which the shaft 94 extends, has a plurality ofslots- 95 therein. In this instance Ihaveshown three slots which are arranged 120 apart. A hollowshaft 96 is it slidably keyed to the shaft 94 and said hollow shaft has a plurality of keys 97 formed thereon adapted to selectively fit into the slots or keyways 95. The hollow shaft 96 is capable of a limited longitudinal sliding movement in the bracket 90. A collar 98 is formed on the shaft 96 and acoil spring 99 bears against this collar98 and against the bracket 90, to retain the keys 97 in their respective slots. Thus it may be seen that the shaft 90 may be rotated to occupy three positions with respect to the'casing, and in order to place the shaft in any one of these three positions, it is merely necessary to engage the shaft 94 by the hollow shaft96 by means of the handle 100, and turn the handle to the desired position and release the same so that the keys 97 will fit into thekeyways 95.

The shaft 94 has a plurality of eccentrics "101 thereon, and on each eccentric is mounted a revolvable disk 102. Each disk 102 occupies a position adjacent one of the dischargepoints. Each disk 102is comparatively wide and has a plurality of notches 103 on the periphery thereof. The notches 103 are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between adjacent shifter bars 59 and any one of'the disks 102 may be moved selectively into contact with the shifter bars 59 by operating the handle 100'in the aforesaid manner. Eachdisk102 when in its operative position in contact with the moving shifter bars 59 receives motion therefrom and the periphery 'of the disk between the notches fills or blocks the-can space between adjacent shifter bars. The cans are therefore prevented from retaining their position between the bars and are forced upwardly and out of the casing through any registering discharge port adjacent the disk. The particular port from which cans are to be discharged may be selected by rotation of the shaft 9 by causing the proper disk 102 to be brought into contact with the shifter bars.

It is obvious therefore that I have provided a device that is for the most part automatic in its operation. By varying the length of time the cans are in the machine, either by premature introduction or by premature withdrawal, the desired cook? is given to each can without varying the degree of heat or the speed of the machine.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for treating filled cans comprising an outer stationary horizontally disposed cylinder, a spiral can track within the cylinder and spaced therefrom, a rotary can mover mounted for rotation about the axis of the cylinder in the space between the spiral track and the inner wall of the cylinder to advance cans lengthwise of the spiral track, a can inlet and a plurality of can outlets in registry with the can track; a rotatable discharge member underlying each can outlet; and means to selectively cause a discharge member to assume anoperative position to eject cans from a desired outlet to vary the length of time they remain on the spiral can track;

2. An apparatus for treating filled cans comprising an outer stationary horizontally disposed cylinder, a spiral can track within the cylinder and spaced therefrom, a rotary can mover mounted for rotation about the axis of the'cylinder in the space between the spiral track and the inner wall of the cylinder to advance cans lengthwise of the spiral track, a can inlet and a plurality of can outlets in registry with the can track and overlying the same; a rotatable discharge member underlying each can outlet; said members having peripheral portions adapted to impinge upon the cans and lift them uniformly from the can track and eject them from a desired can outlet; and means to selectively cause a discharge member to assume an operative position to eject the cans.

3. An apparatus for treating filled cans comprising an outer stationary horizontally disposed cylinder, a spiral can track within the cylinder and spaced therefrom, a rotary can mover mounted for rotation about the axis of the cylinder in the space between inder to advance cans lengthwise of the spiral track, a can inlet and a plurality of can outlets in registry with the can track; a rotatable discharge member adjacent each outlet to eject cans from the space between the cylinders; and means to selectively register a discharge member with a selected outlet.

4. An apparatus'for treating filled cans comprising an outer stationary horizontally disposed cylinder, a spiral can track within the cylinder and spaced therefrom, a rotary can mover mounted for rotation about the axis of the cylinder in the space between the spiral track and the inner wall of the cylinder to advance cans lengthwise of the spiral track, a can inlet and a plurality of can outlets in registry with the can track; a rotatable discharge member adjacent each outlet M the space between the cylinders; and means to selectively register a discharge member with a selected outlet. 7

5. An apparatus for treating filled cans comprising an outer stationary horizontally disposed cylinder, a spiral can track within the cylinder and spaced therefrom, a rotary can mover mounted for rotation about the axis of the cylinder in the space between the spiral track and the inner wall of the cylinder to advance cans lengthwise of the spiral track, a can inlet and a plurality of can outlets in registry with the can track; a rotatable discharge member adjacent each outletoperated by the shifter bars to eject cans from the space between the cylinders, said members having peripheral portions to selectively engage the shifter bars to be rotated thereby and having the periphery thereof engageable with the cans to lift them uniformly from the can track and eject them from a can outlet; and means to selectively register a discharge member with a selected outlet. I

6. An apparatus for treating filled cans comprising an outer stationary horizontally disposed cylinder, a spiral can track within the cylinder and spaced therefrom, a rotary can mover mounted for rotation about the axis of the cylinder in the space between the spiral track and the innerwall of the cylinder to advance cans lengthwise of the spiral track, a can inlet and a plurality of can outlets in registry with the can track; a rotatable discharge member adjacent each outlet operated by the shifter bars to eject cans from the space between the cylinders, said discharge members being eccentrically mounted on a common shaft; means to rotate said shaft to register a selected discharge member with a selected outlet to eject the cans from said selected outlet to vary the length oftime the cans are in the casing.

7, An apparatus for treating packaged goods comprised of a pair of concentric casings; a spiral can track on the inner casing extended into the space between said casings;

a can inlet; a can outlet; shifterbars arranged in spaced concentric relationship with respect to said casings between the same; and

a rotatable discharge member adjacent said outlet having portions thereon to occupy positions between consecutive bars to lift the cans uniformly from the can track and eject the cans through the can outlet.

8. An apparatus for treating packaged goods comprising an outer casing, a spiral can track within said casing and spaced thereand means to disengage said discharge member from said shifter bars to render the same inoperative.

9'. An apparatus for treating packaged goods comprising an outer casing, a spiral engage the packages and lift the same uniformly from the can track and eject the same through the outlet.

10. An apparatus fortreating packaged goods comprising an outer casing, a spiral can track within said casing and spaced therefrom, a can inlet, can outlets, shifter bars mounted for rotation about the axis of the casing in the space between the casing and the spiral track, rotatable discharge members adjacent said outlets having notched perlpheries adapted to receive consecutive shifter bars in the notches thereof to cause the peripheries of the rotatable members to engage the packages and lift the same uniformly from the can track and eject the same through a selected outlet.

11. An apparatus for treating filled cans comprising a stationary, horizontally disposed cylinder having an inlet opening and a plurality of Outlet openings disposed above the axis of the cylinder, a spiral can track within the cylinder and extending from the inlet opening to the outlet openings, can moving devices rotating about thea xis of the cylinder for moving the cans along said spiral can track, and movable discharge means located within the cylinder and operated by said can moving means, said means being selectively shiftable to operative position for forcibly discharging the cans from the can track through any selected outlet opening.

In test ony he eo I h v e eun s my hand at San Francisco, California, this 23rd ay of De mber, 9.2

GOLN V JOHNS N- from, a can inlet, a can outlet, shifter bars mounted for rotation about the axis of the casing in the space between the casing and the spiral track, a rotatable discharge member adjacent said outlet having portions thereon to occupy positions between consecutive bars to lift the cans uniformly from the can track and eject the cans through the can outlet; 

